Pakistan take control in Abu Dhabi

Pakistan moved a step closer to a first Test series win over Australia in 20 years, despite a brave batting effort from Mitchell Marsh.

Replying to Pakistan’s imposing first innings total of 570 for six in Abu Dhabi, the tourists managed just 261 – Marsh leading the way with 87.

Pakistan then reached 61 for two in their second innings, for an overall advantage of 370.

It means Australia, needing victory to square the two-match series, are on the back foot with two days remaining.

The tourists, resuming on 22 for one, failed to make the progress they were hoping for.

With the scoreboard reading 34, David Warner departed for 19 when he picked out Yasir Shah at point, off the bowling of Rahat Ali.

Glenn Maxwell made a brisk 37 but his contribution ended when he was bowled by Zulfiqar Babar.

And 75 for three became 97 for four when Nathan Lyon’s 85-ball stay for 15 runs ended when he missed an attempted straight drive and was bowled by Rahat.

Shortly after Australia had reached three figures, Steve Smith was trapped leg before wicket by Zulfiqar for no score – a successful review working in Pakistan’s favour after Smith had originally been given not out.

A 64-run partnership for the sixth wicket between captain Michael Clarke and Marsh gave the tourists hope.

However, the pair were separated when Imran Khan found some reverse swing and bowled Clarke three runs short of his half-century.

Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson then fell within six runs of each other before the total had reached 200.

Haddin was bowled by Shah for 10 with the final ball of the 50th over – with the scoreboard showing 193 – then two overs later Johnson top-edged another Shah delivery and was caught close in by Mohammad Hafeez for a duck.

Marsh and Peter Siddle put on 62 runs in 15 overs for the ninth wicket – but their stand ended when Marsh picked out Ali at mid-on and departed for 87, giving Khan his third wicket of the innings.

Just two balls later the Australia innings was over when Siddle chipped Hafeez to Shah at long-on, departing for 28 as the hosts took a 309-run first innings lead.

Ahmed Shehzad started Pakistan’s second innings with purpose, hitting Johnson for two fours and a six before the paceman responded with a yorker off the final ball of the opening over.

Hafeez followed in the third over, hitting Johnson to Mitchell Starc and departing for just three.

That brought Azhar Ali and Younis Khan together for Pakistan – the pair who scored a century and double-century respectively in the first innings.

However, they took few chances in the closing stages of day three, with Azhar and Younis Khan closing unbeaten on 21 and 16 respectively and taking Pakistan to 61 for two with an unbroken stand of 40 in 18.2 overs.